This my friends is the greatest animation I have seen for a long time. Created by relative unknown Jérémie Périn, this video is the title promo for the new Flair’s EP entitled Truckers Delight. Lionel Flairs is a cockney parisian electro popping hybrid who creates some very listenable 80′s influenced music. No wonder the video is a grotesque homage to 80′s pixel art and 8 bit gaming. It’s rather rude in a manga-esque way but works rather nicely. Check it and prepare to laugh your retro brain off. Oh and be warned it’s not for the easily offended…
3 of the best independent bands that you NEED to hear. Best of all, their albums are FREE! No illegal downloads here!
Beartrap is a DIY promotion and publicity company that’s focused on establishing a strong community with the people who are dedicated to making (or supporting) music for the sake of music. Beartrap strives to be a forum where people can question conventional ideas. Fostering a tight-knit community of friends and colleagues who continue to challenge the status quo and excite us with their music is my number one priority. We contend that everyone has something special to contribute to this underground, DIY culture; here’s your opportunity to share it.
They also have a not-so-fancy motto:
They recently contacted me to tell me about some ace new bands who I’ve been spinning ever since. What’s better is that these artists have released these records for free / on a donation based deal. Just check out what’s on offer. These aren’t your myspazz rejects, who are all promo shots with no substance. If you’re a fan of independent music, who work hard, play hard and rock hard then you’ll like the following acts.
Merit
There’s something to be said for an incredibly well-rounded indie rock record – the type of jam that doesn’t necessarily beg for any careful, concentrated attention but nevertheless draws you closer and closer with repeated spins. Bands who craft winning albums like that – Syracuse, New York’s Merit, for example – might not get the credit they rightly deserve, but they’re happy to plug away with solid, enjoyable tunes that have undeniable staying power.
If you enjoy punchy gritty vocals and strong steady beats, you’ll like Friends of Friends. They sound pretty damn good on record and I can imagine they get the crowd going when the play live with their dual vocals and light uptempo riffs. What’s better is that they have sampled a Flight of conchords quote on one of their tracks. Can’t beat that really can you?
Hailing from the college town of Tallahassee, Florida, Lipona is a four-piece rock band that derives it’s sound from punk-rock and experiments with elements of ambient and post-hardcore music to create a unique “fast tempo” blend of powerful choruses, gang vocals and sing alongs.
The fabulous folk-rock songstress reveals all about her new album, songwriting process and life in New York
Photo by Eric Luc
There are very few music artists out there as engaging as Mia Riddle. With just 2 records under her belt, she has demonstrated the ability to write beautiful sincere songs which have a universal appeal. She’s an enthusiastic traveller with her creations, who’s out to show the world that the good old-fashioned honest approach is what it’s all about. She just lives and breathes her music. We caught up with the fabulous folk-rock songstress where she reveals all about her new album, songwriting process and life in New York.
Hello from the UK! How are you?
Hey there! I’m great.
For the wider audience, can you tell us about Mia Riddle and the life she lives? You started writing music when you were really young right?
I am a transplanted Californian living a somewhat bohemian lifestyle in Brooklyn. Our band all lives within a block of eachother, so we hang out a lot at the bar downstairs. It’s really fun. I started writing music when I was a kid, and have been in a bunch of different bands. This one has evolved from a solo project to a 6-piece rock band. It’s been really organic, how that happened, and it took a lot of time. I think that process really defined the sound.
Photo by Eric Luc
You’re in the studio recording your new album at the moment. How is that going?
It’s been going really well. We went upstate to the country for six days and recorded all the instruments. We played it all live, so it definitely has a sort of vibrance and rawness that we haven’t captured before. I’m going to sing on it in October at some point, but it won’t probably come out till late winter/early spring.
You also did some sessions for my new favourite website www.daytrotter.com! What was the best part of that experience and is there anyone else on there you’re particularly digging?
Daytrotter is awesome! It was such an honor. The best part of the experience for me was the essay that Sean wrote – he really cares about the music so much. My favorite Daytrotter session is still the Bon Iver one. It’s unreal.
Photo by Eric Luc
Technically, your song structures are so richly layered with hooks and melodies, but you manage to bring it together with one unique sound. What’s your usual process when you come to writing the songs?
It’s usually a pretty fast process. I’ll write a song in an afternoon or two, then after I’ve mulled it over for a couple of days, I bring it to our drummer Jeff, and we come up with the drum part, and then present it to the band, and we all start working out the final arrangement together. This is all a new thing in the last year, the process is a lot more collaborative than it used to be. I love that, everyone is so good at what they do, we’re really bringing everyone’s experience to the table.
Your approach to music is one that I feel is so romantic and genuine, with quality songwriting about real moments and experiences. You all seem to just enjoy what you’re doing together and appreciate life as it comes. I get the impression that the music is almost like a product of the laid back lifestyle that exudes from you? Would I be right?
Haha! I guess so….but I’m also one of the most uptight people around. I’m a little stress-ball, so it’s a balancing act. I just try to be as honest as I can, and tell stories with the best words that I can find.
Photo by Eric Luc
You’ve been here a few times over the years, but when are you coming back to the UK? You should definately come to Liverpool! Where else in the world would you love to tour?
We’re hoping to come back to the UK next spring, and we’d love to go to Liverpool, I’ve never been. I’d also love to tour more in Europe, we had a great time a couple summers ago in Paris.
Which other bands / acts are you currently enjoying?
All my friends in Brooklyn are making such cool music, it’s a great time to be here. Motel Motel are phenomenal, Scary Mansion’s new record is going to be great. Matt Pond PA, Holly Miranda, Abandoned Lighthouse, La Strada, Au Revoir Simone are all making great sounds right now.
Who would be your all time favourite band you would love to play live with?
I’ve always wanted to open for Pedro the Lion, if he would let me sing some backing vocals with him I would die. Also the Breeders, and if we were going really big, Neil Young or Fleetwood Mac would be epic.
How do you ‘chillax’ when you finally get time out?
It’s funny, when we finally get a break from working on music around here, I always really want to go play music.
Bryan Bruchman
Visual art
What visually stimulates you and those around you?
I grew up in the desert, and when I went away to university it was the first extended period of time that I spent around forest and nature. I think that seeing that kind of beauty on a daily basis is really good for you; now that I live in a less-than-beautiful city I try to get out to the country as often as possible. That dichotomy of city and forest figures really prominently in what I write.
I think your own CD covers have also been great pieces of art, particularly the bemused tiger heads on your first album.
Who does your artwork and do you have much involvement in the design process.
That’s nice to hear. My best friend Daria Tessler did the Tigers art, as well as that of the previous two solo EPs. Tumble and Drag’s art is from a painting by my friend Stian Rassmussen, in San Francisco. I really like to have art made by my friends, and I do the layout and design parts myself. The next album is going to have a crazy illustration by my friend Helen. It’s such a huge part of the album-making process for me; when all the songs are laid out and you can find a common thread between them, and then find a title and a piece of art that speaks to that, it’s really satisfying.
Tigers by Mia Riddle
Also, if you don’t mind, could you explain the concept behind the video to Open Wide. I have to say it’s beautifully shot and the dog is adorable!
Sure, that video was written and shot by our good friends Arlene Mueller and Marcin Nadolny, this brilliant Polish filmmaking couple. It’s a story about a lonely girl in the big city, looking for solace in the uptight little world she’s created for herself. Meanwhile the grit of real life is closing in and ultimately shatters everything, and she’s left in the rubble of her once-pristine apartment, eyes opened, possibilities suddenly everywhere. Which is awful and also exciting. Making that video was the highlight of the year; we and our friends did it all ourselves, built the breakable wall, borrowed the motorcycle….it was a truly epic experience.
Debate
What’s really ticking you off at the moment?
Overdevelopment of our neighborhood, being broke, the impossibility of getting health coverage.
What are your “buzzing” and totally happy about?
The new record, the change in the weather, the intense concentration of good music and creativity that always happens in the fall in New York.
Finally, what would would Mia Riddle do to change the world we live in?
You may notice the fantastic scores and title sequences in movies, and often have high adrenaline soundtracks pumping through your ipod. But there is always a much more interesting use of sound happening in the films you watch.
According to wikipedia. The Foley artist on a film crew is the person who creates many of the natural, everyday sound effects in a film.
So the crazy guys at You Look Nice Today attempted to reveal the mysteries and unearth the understanding of this process.
The enjoyment from listening for the first time in a long time to an old favourite is incomparable. This series of classic albums relived begins with Bring It On by Gomez.
It may seem a strange place to start a classic album series but rediscovering Bring It On by Gomez brought about this idea. In hindsight maybe it better be called ‘nostalgia corner’ or ‘soundtrack to my life’ but the point is the albums may not be widely considered classics they are as influential on a personal level as the greats that everyone will agree on.
The enjoyment from listening for the first time in a long time to an old favourite is incomparable, so let this series begin with Bring It On by Gomez.
Southport bred Gomez in the late nineties hit the lofty heights of three UK hit records, toured the US, where they are actually more successful and met the fall back down to earth with reunion tours to escape crummy jobs in the local supermarket.
When Bring It On arrived in 1998 the country was awash in a post-Britpop apocalypse. Tony Blair was fresh in power and Ttianic won 11 oscars. The world was strange and topsy turvy place. Somewhere between a seaside town north of Liverpool and Sheffield university four guys were not quite prepared to shake the world.
Bring It On, Gomez’s debut album was recorded, supposedly, on a four track cassette recorder but in truth these demos were the original blueprints for the album recorded in 1997 in Merseyside bedrooms using a Roland SP-202 featured in the video for Whippin’ Piccaddily.
The rasping yet gentle vocal of Ben Ottewell meant Gomez had something not every other band were able to offer. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Nick Drake aside, there are few voices that sound like stones eroding under the waves; smoothing, scraping yet natural.
The second single from Bring It On Whippin’ Piccadilly, an upbeat acoustic track laden with progressive effects, the story of a day trip to Manchester put Gomez top of the pops. However big an alt-classic this track may have been it only reached #45 in the UK charts.
From the etheraeal opening Get Miles to the poptastic Whippin’ Piccadilly the story develops. The theme of travel is a consistent one, from Manchester to Tijuana. Get Myself Arrested and Bubblegum Years showed Gomez’s ability to nail the melody but in their more intelligent structural moments of Free To Run they were able to orchestrate an almost divine transcendency. The nine minute reggae enthused folk jam of Rie’s Wagon showing just how far the band could take their spaced out recordings in the home studio, Gomez’s area of excellence.
An album without a weak track is worthy of a Mercury Music Prize nomination and it may surprise some to recall this was 98′s winner of the coveted award. Gomez partly contributing to the now rubbished ‘curse’ of the prize. Gomez may never hit the heights of the Oasis’, Blur’s or even the Suede’s but a career dreams are made of lay before this young band with their debut album release.
Those of you who remember this late nineties period as a proud and summery time when Gomez ruled without fear; Dig It Out, Stick It In and Bring It On!
The Blink 182 Sticksmith gets real acrobatic and plays a gravity defying solo.
As a drummer I have always admired Travis Barker’s technical skills and musicianship. I think he’s got a great playing style and always had a bit of showmanship onstage, which set himself apart from other drummers within the pop punk genre, who might be just as good if not better. Travis had previously played on tour with a broken hand, obviously limiting his playing technique, but adding to his dexterity as a musician. But his latest tour stunt just blows that away, by him playing on a 360 degree revolving levitated stage which sees him eventually playing upside down. The stunt is reminiscent of the Motley Crue Aerial drum solos performed by Tommy Lee back in the 80′s. To be fair I’ve seen Travis do better solos, but it’s definitely worth watching.
For a limited time only you can download the finale album release from Nakatomi Plaza for FREE / Pay what you want.
For a limited time only you can download the finale album release from Nakatomi Plaza for FREE / Pay what you want. The complete album with super artwork and essays from each band member will also be available on their final tour. There’s also a donation option too. This final album and upcoming final tour are completely self-financed, so they’re grateful for any donations.
More details about the album and the final tour can be found at the Nakatomi Plaza site.
What do Brandon Boyd, Jon Burgerman, Tim Burgess, Chet Zar, David Horvath, Duff MCkagan all have in common?
What do Brandon Boyd, Jon Burgerman, Tim Burgess, Chet Zar, David Horvath, Duff MCkagan and many more all have in common? They have all offered up their inspirational words about their creative industries to Subvert Magazine. This genuinely one of my favourite magazine sites at the moments. It’s a must read for anyone creative, who wants to be inspired and further their prospective careers with truthful, authentic anecdotes and advice. What’s great is that founders Paul and Angel really recognise the mutual similarities of all the creative industries, and the necessary dedication and hard work they require in order to become ‘successful’.
The Canadian punk rockers spill the beans about their european tour, donuts and broken down vans.
Toronto based quartet, The Flatliners are just about one of the most exciting bands to see live at the moment. Their shows are full of energy, anthemic tunes and diverse musical arrangements from reggae jams, rock n roll and straight up hardcore and punk rock numbers. We caught up with they boys in the midst of their latest European tour to talk festivals, donuts, and broken down vans.
A big hello from the UK, how the devil are you?
Things are great. Constantly recovering from hot shows and strong drinks in Europe.
For those not in the know, give us a run down on where the Flatliners are today and how it all started.
We’ve all known each other since childhood, so naturally we all started playing music together. We’d book our weekends in high school solid with shows and then once we were out of there we just hit the road and haven’t stopped. We are currently in Germany on our way to Luxembourg to play with The Aggrolites, in the 4th week of our Summer Euro Tour.
As well as wider Europe you hit the UK shores late August to play the Reading / Leeds festival, doing a few dates here and there with A Wilhelm Scream, Strung Out and the Mad Caddies. It seems your relentlessly touring again like you did for your last record! How has it compared to the last time round?
Our world of always driving, always playing shows and always meeting new, rad people seems to never end. That’s the best part. We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to do what we do, and get the opportunity to play with these great bands that we’re all big fans of. It seems each time we return to a city as well, we’re met my more and more people, so hopefully we’re doing something right hahaha. We were blown away when we heard we’d be playing Leeds and Reading this year. I remember my brother always reading NME magazine when I was growing up, and every year I saw the epic line up for each respective festival, and thinking “holy shit, how do all these incredible bands play together?” And now we’re a part of it. And that, is truly mindblowing.
How is the new record coming along? I’ve heard that there’s going to be a few surprises in there! When will it be released?
We finished recording our new album 2 days before leaving for this European Tour, so we’re in the mixing stages now and then we’ll get rolling on the artwork and everything. We’ve definitely got some tricks up our sleeve, involving some good friends of ours with rad voices. But I can’t reveal any more info yet. We’re secretive bastards! As it stands now, it looks like it will be out early 2010, so we’ve got some plans right now to do something cool this fall to get people stoked for the new record.
You’re very proud of your canadian heritage, what are the things you miss on tour and what are you glad to see the back of.
We all miss Tim Hortons like it was our favourite place on earth when we’re away. Its a coffee/donut shop that is massive in Canada. And the coffee is like fucking crack. We all miss our beds too. Sometimes its weird sleeping with a different pillow every night, but oh well. That’s life.
It was great to see you release a split with the snips for the fantastic Paper + Plastick!
Vinnie Fiorello is a great dude, and we’re stoked to be working with him on that split. The Snips are our homies too, they’re great. That split has been in the works for something like 4 years now. I remember playing a show with them in 2004 and we were all sitting around drinking, talking about the idea of doing a split where there were only short songs. 5 short songs rolled into 1 weird jam. And it finally happened!
What is your opinion on this crazy dispensable digital age of music?
Some bands will shoot it down like Metallica did Napster, some bands will deny that people downloading music actually helps your band. We’re not the kind of guys that really lose sleep over the fact that people download our music. I think things like MySpace and file sharing help bands more than they even know. Sure, people are buying fewer and fewer records every year, but look at the times we live in. The general population’s pockets are scarily empty, and they’re priorities may not involve buying a new CD for $15. We’re lucky enough to be a part of the Fat Wreck family, who share our ideals of making music as cheap as possible. We sell our CDs for $5 at shows, and I cant even count how many people I’ve talked to after our shows who have said something like “I downloaded your record, listened to it over and over again, came to this show and then had to buy the CD because it was only $5.” Fat Mike knows what he’s doing.
Which other bands are you currently enjoying?
There’s a band from England called The Living Daylights, who I just learned about a few months ago. And they’re awesome. We made friends with a band from Exeter last year called OK Pilot, and they’re like The Bronx meets Hot Snakes, but dirtier. I love that band. The Snips, of course, are a band everyone should check out. Same goes for our buddies Hostage Life from Toronto.
Who would be your all time favourite band you would like to play live with?
We’ve been lucky enough to play with a lot of cool bands, of which some are my favourites. I’d have to say one band the four of us would shit our pants over to play with would be Rocket From the Crypt. Although, they are no more… which makes it even more desirable.
How do you chillax when you finally get time out?
Get home from tour, do all my laundry, sleep for a week straight, wake up, hang out with my girlfriend, family, cat and buddies from back home, roll up some of Canada’s greatest export up and get real lazy. Oh, and then the four of us will likely jam a shitload.
Visual art
With all the cities you see on tour and bands you play with, you must come across a lot of of urban art, merch design and cultural images. Whats the most awesome thing you’ve seen? And would any of you have the desire to be visual artist if you had time away from the band?
Europe is covered in graffiti and I love it. I do a lot of merch design for our band, so I’m always looking around for cool shit and Europe has some incredible street artists. Its tough to pin it down to one or two sources, but I will say that its easy to be inspired when we tour over here.
Debate
What’s really ticking you off at the moment?
We just had to say goodbye to our tour manager’s amazing Sprinter Van. We got in an accident last week, so we’ve been touring in a rented Sprinter for a bit. We’ve done 3 tours in that van and its the best. RIP Duckmobile.
What are your “buzzing” and totally happy about?
We’ll be in England in 2 days. I love it there. Whenever we get to the UK this feeling passes through me like I never want to leave.
What would would the flatliners do to change the world we live in?
All we can do is write songs and enjoy life. People should love their lives rather than try to find ways to always to improve them or change them around. I think the human race is just so used to making advancements in all aspects of life at this point that we’ve forgotten that sometimes you’re OK just the way you are. Love your life.
Go see the flatliners play in your European city this summer!
Amazing music promo for the GA’s latest single from the new EP
Here’s a real nice video for Groove Armada’s latest single – “Drop The Tough” which is the title track to new EP. It has an awesome bass line, with slick guitar licks and feisty vocals. The video was produced by A & W who are becoming increasingly popular for their short films. This promo is a sure winner and makes you wanna go grab a mirror at the end and try it out!
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